Here´s how:

Every year, more trees are planted than harvested. That´s one of the reasons why there is over 30% more forest in the EU than there was 50 years ago.

Younger trees are much better at absorbing carbon – they lock it into their roots and branches until they are saturated, at which point they become carbon stores, not carbon absorbers.

All paper-based forest products trap Carbon and store it until it is recycled.

Environmental responsibility

So next time you see “think twice before you print this email”, don’t think twice, think three times! First, think: “I can be proud to print because when paper is used a whole lot more trees are planted.” Second, think: “The paper I´m using comes from sustainably managed forests that are helping fight climate change.” And third, think: “How will I recycle it once I´m done to make sure it stays a virtuous circle.”

Certification

All HP Everyday Papers are certified to the Forest Stewardship Council®(FSC®) or to the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification™ (PEFC™) standards. FSC® and PEFC™ certifications assure that the forests from which HP Everyday Papers are made are responsibly managed, ensuring the growth of healthy forests for future generations. The whole range is also EU Ecolabel certified. The EU Ecolabel, established by the European Commission, helps the end user to identify products that have a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle, from raw material to production, use and disposal. It promotes excellence that can be trusted.

The PEFC™ Council (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes) is an independent, non-government organization which promotes sustainably managed forests through independent third party certification. PEFC™ provides an assurance mechanism to consumers of paper products that they are promoting the sustainable management of forests.

EU Eco-label “Flower” is an unique certification scheme aimed at helping European consumers distinguish greener, more environmentally-friendly products and services. The label signals that the product meets rigorous environmental criteria and proper fitness for use.

Myth: Paper manufacturing consumes a great deal of non-renewable energy.

ECO Fact: The paper industry is a leader in the production of renewable energy – more than 56% of the energy needed to produce paper products is derived from renewable, carbon neutral biomass sources, such as bark and wood.

Myth: Everyone talks about the importance of recycling of paper but few actually do it.

ECO Fact: Europe recycles 71.7% of paper and board. In 2012, about 78.5 million tonnes of paper were consumed in Europe. Of this volume, 56 million tonnes were recycled. The paper industry is working consistently on improving the quantity and quality of paper.